Quick disconnect liquid chromatograph columns

Abstract

A chromatography column and method for use in a liquid chromatography process includes a telescoping chromatography and piston tubes, with the piston tube having a porous layer partially obstructing flow therethrough. A chromatography clamp is selectively movable between open and closed positions, and configured to extend substantially 360 degrees about the periphery of the chromatography tube when closed. The chromatography clamp is configured to releasably maintain the chromatography tube and piston tube in fluid communication with one another. In particular embodiments, the chromatography clamp includes a ledge extending at an oblique angle relative to the transverse direction, which is configured to cam the clamp towards the closed position upon application of greater than atmospheric pressure within the chromatography column.

1. A chromatography column, having a longitudinal axis, for use in a liquid chromatography process, said column comprising:
 a chromatography tube; 
 a piston tube having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of said chromatography tube; 
 said piston tube having at least one porous layer partially obstructing flow through the piston tube; 
 at least one chromatography clamp being selectively movable between open and closed positions, and configured to extend substantially 360 degrees about the periphery of said chromatography tube when closed, with no single component of said chromatography clamp extending substantially 360 degrees about said chromatography tube; 
 said chromatography clamp having a clamp ledge extending at an oblique angle relative to the transverse direction, the clamp ledge configured to engage the collar ledge to cam the clamp towards the closed position upon application of greater than atmospheric pressure within the column; 
 said chromatography clamp configured to releasably maintain said chromatography tube and piston tube in fluid communication with one another. 
 
     
     
       2. The column of  claim 1  wherein at least one end of said chromatography tube is flanged. 
     
     
       3. The column of  claim 1  wherein an outer surface of said piston tube is threaded. 
     
     
       4. The column of  claim 1  wherein an interior surface of said chromatography clamp is threaded, sized and shaped to threadably engage said piston tube. 
     
     
       5. The column of  claim 1  wherein said chromatography clamp is free to rotate relative to a periphery of said chromatography tube. 
     
     
       6. The column of  claim 1  wherein said piston tube is held rotationally static relative to said chromatography tube. 
     
     
       7. The column of  claim 6  wherein said piston tube is held rotationally static relative to said chromatography tube by an o-ring disposed in a substantially fluid-tight fit between said piston tube and said chromatography tube. 
     
     
       8. The column of  claim 1 , wherein said angle alpha is approximately 15 degrees or less. 
     
     
       9. The column of  claim 8 , wherein said angle alpha is within a range of:
 at least about 3 degrees; 
 to about 10 degrees. 
 
     
     
       10. The column of  claim 9 , wherein said angle alpha is within a range of:
 at least about 4 degrees; 
 to about 7 degrees. 
 
     
     
       11. The column of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a collar configured to capture said piston tube and to be captured by said chromatography clamp. 
 
     
     
       12. The column of  claim 11 , wherein said clamp ledge is configured to engage said collar, to cam the clamp towards the closed position. 
     
     
       13. The column of  claim 12 , wherein said collar comprises a collar ledge configured to engage said clamp ledge, to cam the clamp towards the closed position. 
     
     
       14. The column of  claim 11  comprising a flange disposed at an end of said chromatography tube, and said chromatography clamp is configured to capture said flange and said collar to maintain said chromatography tube and piston tube in axial alignment with one another. 
     
     
       15. The column of  claim 14  wherein said collar is held rotationally static relative to said chromatography clamp when said clamp is in the closed position. 
     
     
       16. The column of  claim 1 , wherein said collar is configured to threadably engage said piston tube. 
     
     
       17. The column of  claim 1  wherein said chromatography clamp comprises a hinge configured to permit the clamp to move between said opened and closed positions. 
     
     
       18. The column of  claim 1  wherein said chromatography clamp comprises a releasable fastener configured to releasably maintain said chromatography clamp in said closed position. 
     
     
       19. The column of  claim 1 , comprising porous obstruction substantially permanently disposed at one end of said chromatography tube, said porous obstruction extending across a transverse cross-section of the interior of said tube. 
     
     
       20. The column of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a filler tube with an opening at both ends; 
 a column coupling clamp; 
 said column coupling clamp configured to releasably maintain said chromatography tube and said filler tube in fluid communication with one another. 
 
     
     
       21. The column of  claim 20  wherein at least one end of said filler tube is flanged. 
     
     
       22. The column of  claim 20  wherein said column coupling clamp is configured to be bi-directionally openable and closable, to alternately capture and release said chromatography tube by movement substantially in the transverse direction, and to alternately capture and release said column coupling clamp by movement substantially in the axial direction. 
     
     
       23. A chromatography column, having a longitudinal axis, for use in a liquid chromatography process to convey eluent through the column and through an adsorbent disposed within the column, said column comprising:
 a chromatography tube; 
 a piston tube having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of said chromatography tube; 
 said piston tube having at least one porous layer partially obstructing flow through the piston tube; 
 a collar configured to capture said piston tube, and having a collar ledge; 
 at least one chromatography clamp being selectively movable between open and closed positions, and configured to extend substantially 360 degrees about the periphery of said chromatography tube when closed, with no single component of said chromatography clamp extending substantially 360 degrees about said chromatography tube; 
 said chromatography clamp having a clamp ledge extending at an oblique angle relative to the transverse direction, the clamp ledge configured to engage the collar ledge to cam the clamp towards the closed position upon application of greater than atmospheric pressure within the column; 
 said chromatography clamp configured to releasably maintain said chromatography tube and said piston tube in fluid communication with one another.